Older cars may face 20% repair rise under Chinese | Tech News

A motoring knowledgeable has urged the Government to keep away from placing a tariff on Chinese cars, warning that it might lead to increased repair payments for older fashions. As a growing quantity of Chinese car firms enter new markets throughout Europe, a vital quantity of international locations are introducing tariffs in a bid to guard native industry.

Whilst the UK has but to announce such measures, William Fletcher MBE, Chief Executive of car.co.uk, warned that a Chinese car tariff would additionally seemingly have an effect on spare elements, which means that repair payments may additionally increase. He warned: “Tariff-driven supply constraints could raise repair costs by up to 20%, affecting owners of older vehicles most acutely. Economists also caution that global trade tensions may reduce UK GDP by 0.1-0.2% in 2025, potentially adding inflationary pressure to household budgets.”

Whilst President Trump’s 25 % tariff on all imported autos has brought on some motoring consultants to query whether or not comparable taxes are required within the UK, a appreciable quantity of international locations have imposed a comparable restriction completely on Chinese-made electric cars.

Under the earlier Biden Administration, the US Government introduced a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, with Canada rapidly imposing a comparable measure.

The European Union has additionally launched a Chinese car tariff, with firms subject to completely different fees primarily based on how a lot of the model is owned by the nation’s Government.

Nevertheless, with out a tariff in place, William highlighted that the Chinese car industry would think about the UK as an even bigger goal for his or her fashions.

He added: “These measures make it economically unfeasible for Chinese automakers to sell into the US market at competitive prices. Meaning the UK could be an attractive destination for several reasons.

“Unlike the EU, which has imposed provisional tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese EVs (on prime of a commonplace 10% obligation), the UK has not but adopted go well with with comparable measures as of early 2025.”

During 2024, China produced more than 31 million autos – increased than every other nation on the planet. Of these, practically six million had been exported to international markets, together with the UK.

According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), within the first three months of 2025, MG bought 24,641 cars, whereas BYD bought a additional 9,271 and JAECOO bought 3,235.

Many UK drivers select Chinese-made cars as a result of they offer refined electric powertrains, good ranges of commonplace tools, and, in lots of circumstances, a decrease price than Western opponents.